Drill bit with cutting gauge pad

Abstract

Ribs on a gauge pad are used to increase side-cutting capability of a drill bit. A drill bit includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has a face region on which is defined a plurality of blades extending from the face region to a gauge region and separated by channels between the blades, each blade supporting on an outer edge region a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters distal to the gauge region. The proximal end is opposite the distal end. At least one cutter is disposed distally to the gauge region on an outer surface oriented substantially parallel to the central axis. The gauge region includes a plurality of outwardly protruding ribs oriented in a direction offset relative to the outer edge region. Aggressive gauge pads can cause unstable drillings. Cutters can be placed distally to the gauge pad, behind PDC cutters on the outer edge region, to help stabilize the drill bit during operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill bit body having a central axis about which the drill bit body is intended to rotate, the drill bit body comprising:
 a distal end having a face region on which is defined a plurality of blades extending from the face region to a gauge region and separated by channels between the blades, each blade supporting on an outer edge region a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters distal to the gauge region; and   a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein:
 at least a portion of the gauge region is offset at a first angle relative to the outer edge region; and 
 the gauge region includes a plurality of outwardly protruding ribs oriented in a direction offset at a second angle relative to the outer edge region. 
   
     
     
         2 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is substantially the same as the second angle. 
     
     
         3 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of outwardly protruding ribs are parallel with each other on a given blade. 
     
     
         4 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of backup cutters rotationally following the plurality of PDC cutters on the outer edge region. 
     
     
         5 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the ribs include diamond cutting features thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one blade includes one or more PDC cutters proximal to the ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises:
 two PDC cutters of the plurality of PDC cutters on a surface substantially parallel to the central axis; and   two backup cutters behind the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         8 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis and the two backup cutters aid in steering the drill bit body during directional drilling or when increased side cutting is desired. 
     
     
         9 . A method for drilling comprising:
 providing a drill bit body having a central axis about which the drill bit body is intended to rotate, the drill bit body comprising:
 a distal end having a face region on which is defined a plurality of blades extending from the face region to a gauge region and separated by channels between the blades, each blade supporting on an outer edge region a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters distal to the gauge region; 
 a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein:
 at least a portion of the gauge region is offset at a first angle relative to the outer edge region; and 
 the gauge region includes a plurality of outwardly protruding ribs oriented in a direction offset at a second angle relative to the outer edge region; and 
 
   rotating the drill bit body into a subterranean feature.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first angle is substantially the same as the second angle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of outwardly protruding ribs are parallel with each other on a given blade. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of backup cutters rotationally follow the plurality of PDC cutters on the outer edge region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the ribs include diamond cutting features thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one blade includes one or more PDC cutters proximal to the ribs. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises:
 two PDC cutters of the plurality of PDC cutters on a surface substantially parallel to the central axis; and   two backup cutters behind the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis and the two backup cutters aid in steering the drill bit body during directional drilling or when increased side cutting is desired. 
     
     
         17 . A drill bit body having a central axis about which the drill bit body is intended to rotate, the drill bit body comprising:
 a distal end having a face region on which is defined a plurality of blades extending from the face region to a gauge region and separated by channels between the blades, each blade supporting on an outer edge region a plurality of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters distal to the gauge region;   a proximal end opposite the distal end; and   at least one cutter disposed distally to the gauge region on an outer surface oriented substantially parallel to the central axis, wherein:   the gauge region includes a plurality of outwardly protruding ribs oriented in a direction offset relative to the outer edge region.   
     
     
         18 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the gauge region is offset at an angle relative to the outer edge region. 
     
     
         19 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 17 , wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises:
 two PDC cutters of the plurality of PDC cutters on a surface substantially parallel to the central axis; and   two backup cutters behind the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis.   
     
     
         20 . The drill bit body as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the two PDC cutters on the surface substantially parallel to the central axis and the two backup cutters aid in steering the drill bit body during directional drilling or when increased side cutting is desired.